2025-01-17

In his farewell note to constituents, Ohio Rep. Jon Cross, R-Findlay, touted the money he brought to his district, including $5 million for dredging and weed removal in Indian Lake in northwest Ohio.

But that money is on hold after a Checks & Balances Project report on Aug. 21, 2024, that the group intended to receive the $5 million apparently violated its nonprofit status by openly advocating for Cross’ reelection, in part because he was helping obtain the money for work the state Department of Natural Resources was already doing.

Radio station WPKO reported on Dec. 28 the $5 million was delayed, possibly because of the Indian Lake Advocacy Group’s support for Cross, which appeared in a post on the ILAG’s website.

“As of this date, Indian Lake has yet to see these funds,” reported April King of WPKO. “They were initially set to be allocated to the Indian Lake Advocacy Group, but after some talk, the funds have been put on hold for the time being with no projected disbursement date.

ILAG’s chief a major Cross donor

Bud Christman, ILAG’s chairman, gave $18,000 to Cross’ campaigns between 2022 and 2024, when Cross lost his primary for reelection. Christman runs a marina on Indian Lake, where navigation has been slowed by invasive weeds.

The Indian Lake Advocacy Group was granted 501c3 nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service on Aug. 5, 2022, and has never handled more than $50,000 a year, according to its federal tax filing.

“Support Jon Cross,” read the post on the ILAG website. “Vote for Jon Cross in the Primary Election on March 19th so he can continue his efforts to secure $5,000,000 for Lake Dredging.” ILAG removed the item from its website after June 28, 2024.

Federal law and IRS regulations clearly prohibit such activity.

“Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office,” the IRS says.

“Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.  Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.”

In August, C&BP asked the IRS to investigate ILAG’s electioneering on behalf of Cross. C&BP followed that request in September with another to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Ray Locker is the executive director for Checks & Balances Project, an investigative watchdog blog holding government officials, lobbyists, and corporate management accountable to the public. Funding for C&BP is provided by Renew American Prosperity and individual donors.

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